Joe and Mary Ann McDonald's

Wildlife Photography

Recently, at our tri-annual Kenya-Tanzania Safari Reunion, several of our past safari participants displayed their work in an exceptionally arresting fashion. They did slide shows, and, instead of using my old stand-by, Microsoft's PowerPoint, they obviously used something different ... something that really stood out. Each time another presenter did his or her slide show and it was different, and arresting, and exceptional in its presentation, we received the same answer to 'what program was that? what program did you use?' In every case, the answer was Photodex's ProShow Gold.

I was extremely impressed, and ordered a copy as soon as the weekend concluded. While I'll go into some of the how-to's of using ProShow Gold in a future Tip's column, let me quickly itemize a few of the features that make the program very attractive. One, the price is only $69.95, and there is a free download trial that you will allow you to test the program and see if it fits your needs. Two, although I've not availed myself of it, the users at our Reunion said tech support was very good. Three, the timing went very smoothly, and the addition of some motion for some effects -- IF NOT OVERDONE -- were very effect.

Other computers do not need ProShow Gold to play a slide show. On our last Digital Complete Nature Photo Course, two students had CDs with their program burned in, and by simply clicking the show played. That's convenient.

The last statement is so important, regardless of the slide show program you use. One that I suffered through years ago incorporated virtually every transition effect that that particular slide program had to offer. After only a few minutes the audience was no longer watching the slides but instead were simply wondering, and sometimes cringing with anticipation, exactly what the next transition would be. The effects took control of the program, and the effect of the images was lost. So ... go easy on transitions and effects in every case. Remember, to you, the first time you try and effect it's often a 'gee-whiz' kind of thing, but after a bit it won't be, especially to your audience that can quickly become jaded.

At any rate, check it out for yourself. The download costs you nothing and I think you'll agree it's a pretty powerful and useful program for producing digital slideshows. Visit their site at www.photodex.com or email at info@photodex.com (800) 37-PHOTO.

Later this month Photodex will also be offering a 'professional' and very high powered slide show program called 'Presenter.' Details about the program are, or will be, available on their website, but if you are a pro who sells slide shows (for example, a slide show produced from a wedding or party shoot), this is one to drool over.